Dons, Owls, Royals begin CIF playoffs at home

League champions Santa Barbara and Laguna Blanca drew home matches for the first round, and San Marcos received a wild-card berth for the CIF boys volleyball playoffs, which were announced Sunday.

The Royals (14-9), who finished fourth in Channel League, plays host to Long Beach-Cabrillo (9-9) in a Division 1 wild-card match on Monday at 7 p.m. at the Thunderhut. The winner travels to second-seeded Santa Margarita for the first round on Tuesday.

Channel League-champion Santa Barbara takes on Palos Verdes, the No. 3 team from the Bay League, on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at J.R. Richards Gym. The Dons (19-7) are coming off a loss against Ventura in their regular-season finale.

Palos Verdes (22-11) finished behind Mira Costa and Redondo in the Bay League. The Sea Kings, who have a 6-7 opposite, took one game off Mira Costa this season.

Laguna Blanca, winners of the Condor League under 19-year-old, first-year coach Dillan Bennett, will be home against Flintridge Prep (9-13) in Division 5. Flintridge has a 6-8, 250-pound outside hitter.

Dos Pueblos, Bishop Diego and Cate will all be on the road for their playoff openers.

DP (16-11), coming off a stirring five-game win over San Marcos to earn second place in the Channel League, travels to San Clemente (23-5) in Division 1; Bishop Diego (12-8) is in the Division 2 bracket and plays at Irvine; Cate visits San Gabriel Academy in Division 5.

CIF BOYS VOLLEYBALL BRACKETS

Division I
Division II
Division III
Division IV
Division V